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CF53 CMU

2004 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Sep 2026
Tests32 (19 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate59.4%

Mileage

168,385 mi
Last recorded168,385 miles
Recorded on11 Sep 2025
Typical for 2004 Land Rover Defender81,117 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationCF53 CMU
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2004
ColourGreen
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,495cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

19 pass 13 fail
Pass 11 Sep 2025 168,385 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

Fail 11 Sep 2025 168,385 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

Pass 2 Sep 2024 161,648 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Fail 2 Sep 2024 161,648 miles

Steering box drop arm likely to become detached (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Pass 15 Sep 2023 153,437 miles
Fail 14 Sep 2023 153,432 miles

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Steering arm deformed (2.1.3 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 9 Sep 2022 146,192 miles

Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Inner Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Trailing arm triangle bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Outer Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Trailing arm triangle bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Track rod end slightly misaligned (2.1.3 (e))

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively Front joint (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Spare tyre defective ()

Fail 8 Sep 2022 146,192 miles

Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the right (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt A frame ball joint (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play Drop arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Inner Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Trailing arm triangle bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Outer Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Trailing arm triangle bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Track rod end slightly misaligned (2.1.3 (e))

Rear Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively Front joint (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play A frame ball joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Spare tyre defective ()

Pass 15 Sep 2021 137,447 miles
Pass 16 Sep 2020 128,843 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Fail 15 Sep 2020 128,839 miles

Front Bumper damaged and likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted (6.1.4 (a) (i))

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Seat belt damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Pass 16 Sep 2019 119,755 miles

Front bumper extremely corroded.

Nearside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Pass 1 Sep 2018 113,633 miles

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Fail 1 Sep 2018 113,633 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Pass 29 Aug 2017 107,493 miles

Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

Fail 29 Aug 2017 107,493 miles

Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has slight play (2.5.A.3b)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 7 Sep 2016 101,246 miles
Fail 7 Sep 2016 101,246 miles

Front registration plate faded (6.3.1d)

Offside Rear Rear reflector missing (1.5.1a)

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Pass 27 Jul 2015 94,051 miles
Fail 27 Jul 2015 94,049 miles

Brake servo leaking (3.6.C.1c)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Steering arm deformed but serviceable (2.2.C.1d)

Fail 22 Jul 2014 84,625 miles

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 22 Jul 2014 84,625 miles
Pass 29 Jul 2013 75,389 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt flexible stalk deteriorated but not likely to lead to failure under load (5.2.4a)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Offside Front Seat belt flexible stalk deteriorated but not likely to lead to failure under load (5.2.4a)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Fail 3 Aug 2012 60,775 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Front coil spring worn (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside Rear coil spring worn (2.4.C.1b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 3 Aug 2012 60,775 miles

Nearside Front coil spring worn (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside Rear coil spring worn (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 2 Aug 2011 54,927 miles

Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

n/s front chalice weeping oil

Fail 1 Aug 2011 54,926 miles

Nearside Front Road wheel badly damaged (4.2.A.1a)

Nearside Front Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

n/s front chalice weeping oil

Pass 2 Feb 2010 46,625 miles

Nearside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

o/s rear bump stop missing

Fail 29 Jan 2010 46,625 miles

Offside Rear Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

o/s rear bump stop missing

Pass 28 Jan 2009 39,169 miles
Pass 30 Jan 2008 34,008 miles

Rear number plate starting to delamanate

Pass 16 Jan 2007 23,308 miles

How Reliable is the Land Rover Defender?

Based on 2,960,045 MOT tests across 181,953 vehicles.

72.3%
Pass Rate
3,550
Miles/Year
43
Year Lifespan
181,953
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush 77,499
Brake pipe excessively corroded 77,229
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 57,749
position lamp(s) not working 53,914
Stop lamp not working 52,341
Full Land Rover Defender reliability report

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Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

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CF53 CMU is a 2004 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.4%.

Across all 2004 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 74.0% with a typical mileage of 81,117 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Land Rover Defender fails its MOT is shock absorber has an excessively worn bush, accounting for 77,499 recorded failures. If you're considering buying CF53 CMU, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Land Rover Defender typically stays on UK roads for around 43 years. At 22 years old, this Land Rover Defender is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of CF53 CMU?

You can check the full history of CF53 CMU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was CF53 CMU registered?

CF53 CMU is a 2004 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 January 2004.

Is CF53 CMU safe to buy?

The MOT history for CF53 CMU shows 32 tests with a 59.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does CF53 CMU have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on CF53 CMU. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.